BROADCAST: Caring for Women with Vaginal Infections: Bacterial Vaginosis, Trichomoniasis, and Vulvovaginal Candidiasis

Vaginal Infections are the most common reason that women in America visit their gynecologist. These complaints account for more than 10 million office visits each year. Although vaginal infections are not reportable, Bacterial Vaginosis is considered to be the most prevalent vaginal disorder. Trichomonas vaginalis is believed to infect up to 3 million women annually and Vulvovaginal candidiasis is estimated to affect as many as 75% of women at some point in their lifetimes. Many of these women suffer from recurrent infections.

Vaginal Infections are associated with a growing number of serious health risks, including pelvic inflammatory disease, cervicitis, postoperative infection, abnormal cytology, HIV infection, preterm labor, and low birth weight. In addition, asymptomatic, nonspecific and recurrent vaginal infections are a growing problem. Given these health risks and problems, it is extremely important for health care providers to be kept abreast of the newest developments in research, diagnosis and treatment of the various vaginal conditions. This course will offer clinicians the most current information about how to manage vaginal problems in women and how to manage their sexual partner(s). "Caring for Women with Vaginal Infections" is designed for physicians, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, physician assistants and other health care providers who provide care for women with vaginal infections and other STDs. Topics include: how to perform a thorough medical and sexual history, how to perform a comprehensive pelvic exam, testing and sampling techniques, management of the patient and her partner(s), and the "workup" of women with asymptomatic, nonspecific and recurrent vaginal infections.

After the broadcast, clinicians should be able to:

• Describe the pathogenesis and risk factors for the most common vaginal infections
• Identify, diagnose and treat the most common vaginal infections: Bacterial Vaginosis, Trichomoniasis, and Vulvovaginal Candidiasis
• Discuss current trends in the treatment of recurrent, nonspecific, and asymptomatic vaginitis

Jandel Allen-Davis, MD
Staff Obstetrician-Gynecologist, Kaiser Permanente, Assistant Professor of Obstetrics-Gynecology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO

John Douglas, MD - Moderator
Director of STD Control Program, Associate Director of the Denver Publich Health Department, Associate Professor, Departments of Medicine and Preventive Medicine, University of Colorado health Sciences Center, Denver, CO

Sharon Hiler, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of OB-GYN and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Magee-Women's Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA

Anee Rompalo, MD, ScM
Medical Director, Baltimore STD/HIV Prevention Training Center, Associate Professor, Divisions of Infectious Diseases and Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Epidemiology, The Hons hopkins Schools of medicine, Hygeine and Public Health, Baltimore, MD

Jack Sobel, MD
Chief, Division of Infectious Diseases, Professor of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI

The Denver STD/HIV Prevention Training Center is approved as a provider of continuing nurses education by the Colorado Nurses Association, which is accredited as a provider of continuing education in nursing by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

The University of Cincinnati College of medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 2 hours in Category I credit towards the AMA Physician's Recognition Award. Each physician should claim only those hours that he/she actually spent in the educational activity.

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essentials and Standards of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint sponsorship of the Unviersity of Cincinnati and the National Network of STD/HIV Prevention Training Centers. The University of Cincinnati is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical eduation for physicians.

These certificates are for physicians and physician assistants as well as nurses or advanced practice nurses in states/commonwealths that accept CME credit toward continuing education units for nurse.